Calf weaner



May 9, 3950 v HMASBRUCH 2,507,212

@ALF WEANER Filed Nov. 24, 1944 2 sheets-smet 1 BY? x/f ORNEY.

H. MASBRUCH May 9, `$1950 CALF WEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 24, 1944 HEN/y NnsRwH.

INVENIOR.

Patented May 9, 1950 CALF WEANER Henry Masbruch, Platteville, Wis., assignor to Russell Manufacturing Company, Platteville,

Wis.

Application November 24, 1944, Serial No. 565,009

3 Claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a novel and effective calf weaner which is so designed that the animal can eat or graze without trouble but preventing the calf from nursing. It is also an object of my invention to provide a device that can be worn by the calf without discomfort and which will not interfere with its ordinary habits except nursing. It is further an object of my preferred embodiment of the ininvention to provide a device of this type which will not chip, break, or hurt either the calf or the mother. I attain these and other objectives of my invention by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention applied to the head of a calf Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device, the straps I3 being shown in section;

Fig'. 3 is a section on line 3-'3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another form of the invention applied to the head of a calf;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the strap buckle;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the front tab Ba; and

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective View of one of the hinge members.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 3 which show the preferred form of my invention, I provide a calf weaner plate I of approximately arcuate shape to t over the head of the calf as shown in the drawings, and functioning as a weaner guard plate, and having outwardly bent integral tabs 2 which project slightly at an obtuse angle to the approximately arcuate plate I, each ofl which has reinforcing ribs 3. The function of the tabs 2 is to prevent the calf from swinging the swinging tabs 6 upwardly so that they will lie along the plate I and permit the calf to nurse. The two side tabs 2 act in a similar manner to the front tab 2, as their function is to prevent the calf from tossing the swinging tabs 6 to an upward reversed position alongside the plate I to permit the calf when it turns its head sideways to nurse.

On the lower edge of the lateral portions of the calf weaner plate I there are formed hinge sockets 4, as shown in Fig. 2, for a hinge pintle 5, and from this pintle 5 depend the swinging tabs 6, which along their upper edges have the hinges 1, such as shown in Fig. 3. The swinging tabs 6 also may have ribs 8, for reinforcement.

Each of the three swinging tabs 6 is provided with a narrow outwardly projecting lip 9, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which preferably is integral with the respective tab 6.

The calf weaner plate I is provided with ventilator apertures I0.

Attached to the plate I by suitable rivets II are the head strap I3 and the chin strap II. The headstrap has a suitable buckle I4 and the chin strap II has a suitable buckle I2. A third or throat strap I5 is adjustably connected to the head strap I3 by a suitable buckle |16, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the animal desires to graze, the three swinging tabs 6 swing outwardly and away from the animals mouth so as not to interfere with grazing. But if the animal raises his head and attempts to nurse, the tabs swing downwardly and prevent nursing. If the calf attempts to toss the swinging tabs 6 upwardly and out of his way against the plate I, the projecting tabs 2 will prevent his doing so. Gravity will cause all of the tabs to remain in a depending position, or to return to one. Cows and calves graze with a front to back pull and the tabs do not prevent grazing.

The several straps securely fasten the device to the head of the animal and permit of adjustment so that the animal can wear the device without discomfort. The ribs or corrugations on the tabs increase the strength of the device.

Referring to Figs. 4-8 of the drawings, there is illustrated another form of the invention in which Ia is the calf weaner plate which ts around the lower part of the head of the animal and has hinge elements 4h and 4a from which the swinging tabs 6a depend. These swinging tabs 6a are provided with outstanding lips 9a. The plate I has suitable ventilator apertures Illa. The plate Ia is attached to a chin strap I Ia and to a head strap l3nt, while a throat strap I5a is connected with the headstrap I3a by buckles Ma, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the animal seeks to graze, the tabs 6a swing outwardly and permit the animal to graze while if it seeks to nurse, they swing downward so as to prevent the animal from nursing.

Either form of the invention is equally successful when made in larger sizes for grown animals to stop them from sucking.

What I claim is:

1. In a calf weaner, the combination of a guard plate fitting over the lower portion of the head of the animal and having short integral tabs extending outwardly in an obtuse angle at the front and sides of the guard plate, and swinging tabs hingedly suspended from the weaner guard plate, each of said swinging tabs having an outwardly extending lip to oause the tabs to swing outwardly when the animal lowers its head to graze.

2. In a calf weaner the combination of a Weaner guard plate 'tting over the lower portion of the hldojtl aiiir'al and'h-lvingfxed tabs extending "outwardly from the front and sides of the guard ,plate at an angle thereto, a pintle connected to the lower edge of the guard plate,

and swinging tabs hingedly connected to said pintle, each of said swinging tabs having an' outwardly extending lip, the xvedtabsprevjenting the swinging tabs from being"tos'sd into arer versed position against the weaner guard plate.

3. In a calf weaner whion. permits theoalitoV REFERENCES CITED 'Ifhe following references are of record in the fue of, this wat:

UN'LFIVED; STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 172,468 Miller'. Jan. 18, 1876 849,104 Jo'ries' Sept. 14, 1886 393,341Y OHare Nov. 20, 1888 481,985 rI'yler Sept. 6, 1892 683,104 Daggett Sept, 24, 1901 709,140 Daggett Sept. 16, 1902 1,428,794 Myeret al. Sept. 22, 1922 1,626,090 Krauss Apr. 26, 1927 1,748,027 Rasmussen Feb. 18, 1930 2,224,418l Wheat Dec. 10, 1940 

